Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-03
Our esteemed Trotter cotemno,,rv The R.n,,

can, continues 10 insist that the District Is mot
territory IN the sense in which that word is used,
either IN law or platform-ma and that the
democratic platform did not adopt any plank
promising home rule here IL appears from what
THE STAR has already published that the demo-
cratic convention, a matter OF fact, intended
10 meet the case OF the District as well as OF the
territories proper In this plank. The resolution In
conformity with which the plank was prepared
made the claim both for territories and District
and distinction between the case OF territories
and District urged before committee or con-
ventiOn; but as the District had been classed as
territory In all the other proceedings OF the conven-
tion, and even designated specifically as such In
the roll-cal, II continued TO be viewed as terri
tory IN the adoption OF this plank, which fact was
recognized ty the whole convention, as well as by
the District representatives who supported and
voted for the plank which the Republican pro-
feSSes 10 think intended to exclude the
community which they represented. No demo-
crat can In good faith raise this technical
point against the District, and no one has.
President Cleveland is peculiarly fortunate in this
matter in having strictly republican supporter
which can pursue In his defence a line OF argu-
ment that any democrat, with the plain intent OF
his national convention in view, would be ashamed
10 adopt. IL IS evident that in 'platform-makfng
at least the word territories" has been construed
10 include the District OF Columbia, and that
pledge OF home rule liz local affairs was In intent
at least, made 10 the District, and accepted in
good faith.
While the Republicans technical point Is not
available in any event 10 a democratic President,
II Is not clear matter Of law that the point Is
wei taken Every one knows that the District Is
not technically either state territory, though
in many respects It's condition closely approx
mates that Of the territory. This fact is not q
complete bar TO a liberal construction of the word
territories" which shall include the District
within the benefit Of its provisions. Though the
District is not viewed sufficiently state to en-
title It's citizens TO sue in United States court
''eitzens OF a state' 1t is not freed from direct
taxes By the provision apportiOning them, coupled
with representatives, "among the several states"
WIN the words state and territory be always so
construed as TO include the District when burdens
are to be imposed, and as excluding it when priv
1eges are granted?
District Offices may be federal offices, but they
are not all national federal Offices. There is a
clear distinction between the case OF officers per-
forming national functions and supported by the
government, whose place OF business Is In Wash
1ngton, and officers directing the local affairs OF
the District The membership OF deeds IS purely
local, and there is no salary from the government
attached 10 the office III the citizens who pay this
Oficer In fees had anything to say concerning his
selection they would not have permitted condi-
ton or AFFAIRS 10 exist In which it Is doubtful
whether there Is any legal recorder, and whether
the record OF cOnveyances has not for months been
illegal II titles are thrown in confusion and
those who have paid fees for recording conveyan-
ces since the appointment OF Matthews to NIL the
vacancy caused by his own rejection receive no
valid services for their money the President will
De directly responsible for the injury. If under
the law another" than Matthews must be ap-
pointed In his place after his rejection, and Mat
thews Is not IN law recorder OF deeds 1t does not
appear that he can appoint legal deputy; and In
this event TrOtter's as well Matthews fees may
De received without consideration rendered
IL seems that imprisoned anarchists and their
silly sweethearts are not the only persons who
suffer coercion in their matrimonial affairs In this
otherwise free country. Theatrical managers are
as harsh tyrants as the police. The newspaper
all over the United States announced, a day or two
ago, that Madame Janisch, the actress was to be
married 10 a member OF her troupe. To-day they
are publishing the story OF the manner in which
the match was broken OF. The manager 1t a D.
pears interfered, and declared that the lady must
take her choice between her engagement to him
and TO her future husband; and, as the wedding
could wait and the stage triumphs couldn't she
admitted her preference 10 remain Nine Janisch
II While longer. What Is the reason that theatre
CA husbands and theatrical entrepreneurs are al
ways ar odds? Why must a professional of the
gentler sex exchange the legitimate drama for the
museum business before her connubiaI estate adds
a
positive ciscornte Here IS a problem In socio-
dramatic philosophy which it would be well to
have solved.
IL would be great convenience In many re-
spects II, instead OF putting OF the provision for
Us various vacation committees till the end OF a
sesion the Senate would divide itself into groups
OF five and seven and nine and eleven when il first
meets. and have each group allotted its work for
the coming vacation Then, any senator named
fora trip through the South who would prefer q
tour OF the Indian agencies. or one assigned to an
lhVestisaeon AT q seaside watering place who
would prefer an inquiry at mountain resort could
make arrangements TO change places with some
colleague OF a different mind. The whole matter
could DE- Strengthened out satisfactorily in the first
lew weeks OF the session, and the danger avoided
OF emitting from the distribution In the hury.
bury Of the closing hours some senator who hap-
pened 10 be too busy with hts public duties TO look
SHARPLY AFTER the provision for his private Junket
The resolutions OF the Wendell Phillips club OF
Boston, approving the Presidents choice OF James
NJ. Trotter 10 be Recorder OF Deeds OF the District
OF Columbia, ought 10 be framed and hung I'm the
room OF the Columbia club or Washington The
time may come when q President who isn't bidding
Tor the colored vote OF Massachusetts, Will choose
Tor postmaster OF Boston somebody whom no Bos-
toni4n knows and no Bostonian wants. and then
IL viii be the Columbia clubs turn To adopt some
LcSOlullOns-
The disposition OF both sides In the Chicago an
archSt cases seems favorable 10 postponement
whenever opportunity offers. The defense files
ninety page briefs on the most ordinary motions
10 be argued, and the prosecution IL apparently
willing TO do anything TO accommodate At this
rate, the condemned murderers stand very fair
chance OF dying natural deaths IN prison. and thus
illustrating the elasticity or our American system
o. Jurisprudence.
Matthew's and Trottar rejoice over the smart
thick by which 10 Is thought the Senates action IA
10 Dc eva&ied aud rendered Intellectual Matthews
whose legal claim 10 the ONCE OF recorder OF deeds
l. denied appoints deputy whose title Is. IL Is
Thought, inIpresnable. IL Is 70 De expected that
reform President will at once remove these smart
Objects and thus SHOW his disapprJyaI OF trickery
and attempted evasion or the public WILL
We have two brand new Senators In the persons
OF Mr.. Rufus Blodgett, Of New Jersey and Mr. j
j. Finley, OF Florida Both gentlemen may con-
slider themselves exceptional faYO-ttes OF fortune
The one owes his elevation 10 the fact that the
Legislature OF his state has been casting vain bal
lots for month or more. The other owes his 10
the fact that the legislature OF his state has not
east any ballots al all Let hope that both will